Need help, stuck between 2 loose stones.

[days22]

Hi all,

Need you your figuring out what loose stone will be purchasing:

Big retailer in my town - $5500

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?reportno=2171211771&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&pagename=GIA%2FDispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547

-My concern buying it online is that it will have some kind of naked eye visible inclusions (i saw some black clouds).

or

James Allen - $6000

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.10-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-237871

-Saw the stone and it looked nice, but didn't had as much sparkle as other that I was shown (1K & 2K more in price)
---

What is a better stone based on the price and what do you think about buying from online James Allen (safe?)? The pro of buying in my local retailer is that they have the setting I like, so that makes it easier. Any input is greatly appreciated

Feel free to recommend other stones also in my $6K range if you'd like.

 

[JDDN]

I wouldn't buy a stone that's I1 and I wouldn't buy one that wasn't an excellent or ideal cut. That pretty much nixes the first stone. You will definitely see inclusions with an I1 stone and it could very well affect how sparkly and brilliant the stone looks not to mention potential structural issues with the stone itself.

The JA stone looks like it could be nice, but it's unavailable. I would verify any SI1 stone to be eye clean before buying however.

JA is a reputable online vendor and many here have purchased diamonds and settings from them. I would not be worried at all.

What setting are you looking at? Budget?

 

[tyty333]

Is the I1 eye-clean? Did you look at it in different lighting conditions?

Where did you see the JA stone? It is well cut and should have a fair amount of sparkle. You could request and idealscope
to check on the light return. JA is a reputable vendor.

I would most likely go with the JA stone. I would not want an I1 for my engagement ring unless I was really getting something
extra for it like a whole lot bigger size.

 

[days22]

I'm looking at vintage setting from tacori. The retailer store appear eye clean but I can't tell much.

JA Idealscope said: stands out with excellent, fire and sparkle! It faces up white at its G color and very white. This selection has the best light performance, it is a gorgeous diamond! It is also eye-clean.

Can you tell me anything based on the idealscope image?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The idealscope looks great. I wouldn't personally be happy with the black inclusions in the JA stone, but I'd absolutely buy it over the other one. I'd never buy an I1 period, but especially not online (plus it was not excellent cut because of a very thin girdle). Did you look through all the JA stones? I would think there might be one that is a little cleaner than that one.

 

[days22]

I looked through the JA stones, but narrow it down to that one because i wanted perfect symmetry and angles. Should i sacrifice that or spend some money to get something more clear? Do you think the JA stone is clear to the naked eye???

 

[ennui]

I feel like this topic should be called "stuck between a rock and a hard place."